Edward Furlong, Christina Ricci, Brendan Sexton III

A Baltimore sandwich shop employee becomes an overnight sensation when photographs he's taken of his weird family become the latest rage in the art world. The young man is called "Pecker" because he p...( read more  read more... )ecks at his food like a bird.

Flixster Users

66% liked it

12,186 ratings

Critics

52% liked it

42 critics

R, 86 min.

Directed by: John Waters

Release Date: September 25, 1998

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DVD Release Date: February 23, 1999

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Flixster Reviews (565)


  • March 4, 2008
    Take a moment to think about all the things that the name "John Waters" brings to your mind.

    Was it disgusting and outrageous?

    Well, then you proved my point. I adore Waters' movies and I think he is a genius, but let's face it: the man has some wicked, crazy shit in his mind....( read more) That's part of his charm. So when I caught "Pecker" on TV last night, I had no idea what to expect. I didn't know I was face to face with Waters' most mature, focused, yet wicked movie ever. There's nothing gratuitous here, nothing shocking but the story of a young guy (Edward Furlong playing a nice kid, for a change) who lives in Baltimore (you saw that coming) and LOVES to take pictures. The variety of characters surrounding him inspire him every day to keep on taking pictures until one day at an art show in his sandwich store, an art dealer meets him and gets him to New York, where he becomes famous and ruins his entire life as soon as he gets back to Baltimore and the news of him becoming a successful photographer spread like a plague.

    The cast is simply fantastic, no freaks here, but normal people from Waters' memories in Baltimore. For the first time in his filmography, it seems to me that he didn't just look at the people around him growing up for inspiration but at himself and the character seems John Waters' inspired, without, of course, making this an autobiography. The cinematography, by the way, it's wonderful and I think Baltimore never looked THIS good. The movie is compelling, cute, endearing and entertaining from start to finish (Am I really using THESE words to describe John Waters?!) and it shouldn't be missed for anything in the world.

    Believe or not, John Waters is all about finding beauty and art in everyday life, in common people doing their own business. And Pecker (one of the most beautiful characters I've seen on film) is all about that too. His photographs may look depressing, marginal or shocking but he took them to remember the people around him and how they live every single day being obsessed with what they love and adore: sugar, gay men, fashion or laundry rules. And, once again, that's what John Waters is all about!! For the first time, I think his soul and heart, more than just his wicked mind, is everywhere in the picture.

    "Pink Flamingos" may be for every John Waters fan his best movie but, for me, this one is his masterpiece. Focus and maturity, plus his usual wickedness create an splendid example of a great movie from a great filmmaker.
  • July 11, 2007
    Edward Furlong takes interesting photos all over town, but then he is made famous, and it ruins his charming life. A funny movie with the message about the dangers of fame. I LOVED the little sugar-addicted little sister! She made the movie. Very funny John Waters movie.
  • March 5, 2007
    I liked it.
  • November 20, 2006
    Pretty gross but very funny.
  • August 23, 2008
    Slightly amusing but I've never been a big John Water's fan.
  • October 25, 2009
    Waters's worst film.
  • September 16, 2009
    Disliked this John waters project. It's surreal, but not so enjoyable.

    42/100
  • June 16, 2009
    Another cute one, but basically a flop; I was pleased with the cast and the basic story line wasn't at all bad. It was an enjoyable movie so long as you had no expectations. And it seems to have brought the term "tea-bagging" into common usage.
  • June 14, 2009
    i tried hard to get into this but theres just not much entertaining about it.
  • June 4, 2009
    Christina Ricci, I love you but..what the hell we're you thinking being apart of this movie??

Critic Reviews


May 4, 2005
Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness

A transparent, laugh-free parable about Waters' own rise to fame. full review

View more Pecker reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • 3lizab3thlov3s3ric
    December 31, 2007
    This movie iz fuckin hilarious. At first I thought it would be dumb but when I watched it o yea I had a different perspective about it. Edward Furlong is so sweet and hott in this movie. LOL!!!! XD

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Pecker Trivia


  • Which actress has starred in films such as Pecker , Little Red Riding Hood & Sleepy Hollow ?  Answer »
  • What movie includes an Owl and Wood Pecker  Answer »
  • Name the actor from his movies: Terminatior 2: Judgement Day Pecker American History X Detroit Rock City   Answer »
  • where does the quote 'all i got is this cancerous pecker..' come from?  Answer »

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